Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome in a small infant

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Published on: December 8, 2023

Sameeh S Ghazal1, Mansour N Al-Hawasi, Sulaiman A Al-Mosallam

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Sulaimania Children's Hospital, PO Box 59046, Riyadh 11525, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. dr_sameeh_ghazal@hotmail.com

Saudi Medical Journal
|April 9, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Non-menstrual staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rare but serious condition in infants. Early recognition and aggressive antibiotic treatment are crucial for recovery, as demonstrated by this infant

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Non-menstrual staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon but severe condition, particularly in young infants.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are critical for improving patient outcomes.

Observation:

  • A 4-month-old infant presented with symptoms mimicking bronchiolitis and pustular skin lesions.
  • Initial treatment involved antistaphylococcal antibiotics and supportive care.
  • The patient subsequently developed erythroderma, hypotension, and fever, characteristic of TSS.

Findings:

  • Aggressive antibiotic therapy, escalated to the maximum dosage, alongside continued supportive measures, led to clinical improvement.
  • The development of extensive desquamation on hands and feet by day 14 confirmed the diagnosis of staphylococcal TSS.
  • This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and treatment response in infant staphylococcal TSS.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider staphylococcal TSS in infants presenting with severe febrile illness and skin manifestations, even without typical menstrual risk factors.
  • Aggressive antibiotic management and supportive care are vital for managing this rare condition in infants.
  • Increased awareness and timely intervention can improve prognosis for staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome in pediatric populations.

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